by Mz. Toni
"What? You know what, I’ma just act like I ain't even hear you say that crazy shit. I'm leaving, I hope you come to my wedding," I said before walking out of her house.
Since that day things have been extremely strained between us. I tried to fix things and give her another opportunity to come to my wedding, but once she found out my father was walking me down the aisle she deemed me a traitor and hasn't talked to me since.
"Hey boo, you okay?" Shante asked.
"Yeah, I guess I'm a little nervous," I said with a light laugh.
"Girl, I would be nervous too, but you got this, you’re marrying the only man you have ever loved," she said before hugging me.
"Alright, don't be getting me all emotional, you gonna make me mess up my make-up, " I said laughing. I was almost finished getting ready when there was a knock at the door.
"I'll go get it," Shante said with a sneaky smile before walking away. When she came back I turned around to see my mother standing in front of me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked. As bad as I wanted her there I was angry as hell. She's my mother and I expected for her to put aside her feelings and have my back.
"Don’t be having a damn attitude, I came to apologize and to support you," my stubborn mother said with her hands on her small hips.
"I needed your support and love months ago mama, but I accept your apology," I said reaching over to hug her. Pulling back, she stared at me as if she was waiting for me to say something.
"Where's my apology? Shante told me you were sorry and wanted to talk to me."
"Well, Shante is a damn lie. What am I apologizing to you for?" I asked before glaring at Shante.
"Oh shoot, I think I heard somebody call me," Shante said before wobbling her pregnant ass out the room.
"What, you want me to apologize for marrying the love of my life, or for expecting for you to be there to support me, or for wanting my father to walk me down the aisle like every woman dreams?" I snapped.
"Where was he most of your life? That nigga was with a whole new family!"
"That's bullshit ma and you know it. He called me every day, but I was so angry at him for hurting you I pushed him away, but he wanted to be there ma, he tried!"
"I don't wanna hear this shit."
"So why are you here then mama, because daddy is still walking me down the aisle whether you like it or not."
"Look, I should've been here to support you from the beginning and for that I'm sorry. I love you and I want to be here for your day," she said shocking me for the first time in a long time. She wasn’t being a smart ass or stubborn.
"Honestly, I prayed that you would come, but you need to talk to Mark. This is both our day and I don't know if he wants you here," I said.
"That’s understandable. Well here, I have this for you," she said, reaching in her purse and pulling out a beautiful locket with light blue gems surrounding it. When I opened the locket there was a picture of a baby that looked just like Mylee.
"Is this me?"
"No, this is your older sister, Camilla. She died two years before you were born. When I got pregnant with her my pregnancy was so difficult, but no matter the problems she fought hard to be in this world, so when she died I kind of tried to act like she never existed. It made it easier to bear, and I held you closer and became overprotective because I didn't want to lose you to and for that I'm sorry," she replied with teary eyes.
"Thank you!" I said hugging her.
"No problem baby, this is your something old, because it was your sister's, something new because it's new to you, and something blue because of the gems," she said kissing my cheek before walking out.
I couldn't help the tears that fell from my eyes the moment my mother walked out the room. I didn't think she could put her feelings aside for me and it warmed my heart to see that she could. While I finished getting ready, the makeup artist I’d hired came back in to retouch my make-up.
“Okay now, no more crying,” she said with a smile.
“I’ll try, but I can't make any promises,” I said. Looking up, I noticed Shante and Cherish behind me. I got up and hugged Shante. I was so thankful she was here. She wasn't there for the preparation of my wedding, but she made this the best day ever by getting my mom here.
“I know how close you and your mom are, so I knew you were fronting and needed her here,” she said.
“Thank you, is Shana here yet?” I asked.
“No, and I'm really getting scared. She would have been here by now. I mean what the fuck, she’s in the wedding!” Shante said with a worried face.
“Maybe we should postpone the wedding,” I said sadly. As much as I wanted to marry Mark, part of me felt like something was wrong.
“Hell naw, we ain't postponing nothing. We will go check on her after the I do’s,” she said.
“Is everyone decent?” I heard my father ask after knocking on the room door.
“Yes, come in.”
“You look beautiful, baby girl,” he said with teary eyes before hugging me.
“Thank you, Daddy!” I said, admiring him in his black suit.
“You’re welcome, baby. Are you ready?” he asked.
“Yeah, I guess so,” I said nervously.
Shante and Cherish kissed me on the cheek and walked out to take their places. I sat down and waited until I heard the music to walk down the aisle. When the music started my father grabbed my arm and we walked out of the room. As we walked down the aisle, I could see all my family and friends smiling. Shante walked down the aisle singing, her soulful voice filling the room.
“I see it clear, my heart is here, we got each other, let’s take it from there, and if I could I’d love you a forever at a time. What we been through no one else knows, cause all that matters is how far this goes, and it will go until it starts again, me and you are built like armor nothing can stop love from loving on us and I'm not asking for much, just a couple of forevers .It can get hard, damn it gets rough, it can get crazy but not for us, cause we gotta struggle just to stay apart, me and you are built like armor nothing can stop love from loving on us.”
When she walked to where my other bridesmaids stood, she continued singing as I walked down the aisle. When my father walked me up to Mark, I could see the tears building up in my soon- to-be husband’s eyes. As we stared into each other’s eyes, his tears finally left his eyes and I saw just how much this man loved me. Reaching my hand up to his face, I wiped his tears and kissed his lips.
“Hey now, that part didn't come up yet,” the reverend said with a laugh, causing everyone to laugh with him.
When it was time to exchange our vows I became nervous as hell. I hadn't heard what he wrote and he wouldn't let me until now.
“Camille, nobody knows all of what we’ve been through, what I put you through when I was young and dumb. I prayed everyday that you would forgive me for all my mistakes and shortcomings, but you are such a stubborn woman that deep down inside I didn't believe you would. You changed me completely. Losing you humbled me and showed me how much I truly needed you in my life. Without you I'm not whole, you are my better half, my backbone, and I am so thankful to be standing here in front of you right now. They say behind every good man is an even better woman, but that’s not true because ever since I've met you, you have been by my side and anybody that knows you knows Camille doesn't stand in the back. You shine so bright, you are a strong woman, a good mother and a good person, I just want to thank you for giving a nigga another shot,” he said.
As the tears fell from my eyes I grabbed his hand and recited my vows.
“Mark Richards, I have been in love with you since middle school. From the moment we met I knew you would be my husband. People doubted our love, they thought we wouldn't last, but we beat the odds. Our connection was undeniable and unbreakable through every obstacle. I love everything about you. I love the way you love me and our children, I love the man you have grown to be. You made mistakes just like me, but I couldn't ima
gine spending the rest of my life with anyone but you. I couldn't imagine waking up every day to anyone but you. You are the love of my life, my best friend and my soul mate,” I said with tears rolling down my face.
Just like that I was now Camille Richards and I was officially the happiest woman on the face of the earth.
Chapter Sixteen (Shana)
I have been locked away in my house for three damn days. He let me out the room now and then, but I’d been so sick that all I wanted to do was stay in the bed.
I wasn't sure what was wrong with me and certain days I felt like I would die. I knew today was Camille’s wedding and I prayed that when they didn't see me there they would know something was wrong. I had been so weak that I couldn’t fight him if I tried. When I wasn't throwing up I was sleeping.
“How you feeling?”
“I feel sick Ray, I think I need to go to the hospital,” I said weakly.
“No you don't, I'm taking care of you,” he said.
“But Ray, something is wrong. I can barely move,” I pleaded.
“You are so fucking ungrateful. You think I wanna be here taking care of your ass? Hell naw, but I'm doing the shit a husband is supposed to do for his wife!” he snapped.
“Alright, I'm sorry. Are you going to go get the kids soon, I miss them?”
“I will be back soon, I'm leaving Destiny here with you,” he said ignoring my question and walking out. When I heard the front door slam I attempted to get up, but couldn't do it.
“Auntie, you're sick you need to stay in bed.”
“I need a doctor, Destiny, can you get my phone?”
“Daddy took it, but you don't need a doctor. When I was sick like you daddy made me all better,” she said proudly.
“You were sick like me?”
“Yup, but now I'm not.”
“How did you get better?”
“I don't know, Daddy just kept feeding me and soon I got better,” Destiny said before walking out. Coming back into the room, Destiny had a bowl of soup she placed in front of me.
“Daddy said to make sure you eat,” she said smiling.
“No baby, I'm not hungry,” I said moving the bowl.
“Don't you want to get better? Daddy put the medicine in your food to make you better.”
“What medicine, Destiny?” I panicked.
“I don't know auntie, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just dump this out in the toilet and don't tell your daddy.”
“He gonna be mad,” she said, scared.
“Just don't tell him okay?” I said nicely.
“Okay,” she said, grabbing the soup and walking out. When she came back she put the empty bowl in front of me. Was this nigga really trying to kill me, did he want me dead just because I didn't want to be with him anymore? As I lay deep in thought, I heard the front door open and minutes later Ray came walking into the room.
“I see you ate all of your soup. Good, this will make you better,” he said with a smile.
As he sat there staring at me, I thought about the first time I started feeling sick. It was after eating the sandwich he had made me. While in my thoughts, I heard someone bang on the door. He got off the bed and walked out the room. I could have sworn I heard a commotion and I was right.
“Naw nigga, y'all divorced, she don't even fuck with you like that so why you here!” I heard Terrence snap.
“Look, you're gonna have to leave before I call the police!”
“She would have never missed Camille’s wedding!” I heard Shante scream. As the commotion got louder, I listened as they got closer and closer to my bedroom.
“You can't go in there, she isn't feeling well!” Ray screamed.
“Muthafucka you better get out the way before I blow ya fucking head off!”
“Helpppppp me!” I screamed. When Terrence came into my room I wanted to jump up and run into his arms, but I couldn't even move.
“What the fuck did you do to her?” Shante screamed before running to me.
“I didn't do shit, I was taking care of her!”
“I'm ‘bout to kill this nigga!” Terrence said cocking his gun back.
“Noooooo, don't hurt him, just get him out of here!” I said as loud as I could.
“What did he do to you, sis?”
“I think he poisoned me! Where is Destiny?”
“We didn't know she was here.”
“She needs to see a doctor too!” I screamed.
“He tried to kill her too?” Shante asked.
“I don't know,” I said before everything went black and I passed out.
****
When I woke up I felt much better and I was in the hospital. Looking around the room, I saw Terrence sleep in the chair to my right and Shante sleep in the chair to my left. When Terrence opened his eyes he jumped up to get the nurse. When they came back in Shante had just woken up.
“You okay?” Shante asked in a panic.
“I feel weak, but a lot better.”
“You were poisoned. The person was giving you small doses of cyanide which is why you felt so sick and weak,” the doctor explained.
“How’s my niece?” I asked.
“She is fine. We ran a series of test and there was a small amount of cyanide in her system, but not much. She is healthy and can be released in a few hours.”
“I’ma kill that nigga!” Terrence snapped while holding my hand.
“Sir, please calm down, the police were contacted already,” the doctor said.
Shortly after, the police arrived and wasted no time questioning me. “Do you know who did this to you?” the cop questioned.
“My ex-husband.”
“Can you tell me exactly what happened?”
“I broke my leg in a car accident almost two weeks ago so I was stuck in bed. A week after that my ex-husband came and went completely crazy and told me he was moving back in. He took my cell and house phone. I got sick the first day after eating a sandwich he made and he continued to feed me. He also poisoned my niece.”
“Can you say and spell his first and last name, we will find him and he will be arrested on two counts of attempted murder,” the officer said. After giving the officers his name and answering a few more questions they left.
“How was the wedding? I can't believe I missed it!”
“It was beautiful! They decided not to go on their honeymoon yet, they should be on their way up here now,” Shante said.
“Aww, I feel bad.”
“Don't feel bad, they have all the time in the world to go on their honeymoon,” Shante said hugging me.
After about an hour Camille and Mark showed up. I could tell from her make-up and hair she was a beautiful bride. I felt so bad that I missed it.
“Hey, Mr. & Mrs. Richards!” I said with a bright smile.
“Hey mama, how you feel?” Camille asked hugging me.
“I feel a lot better health-wise, but I'm so confused and hurt emotionally.”
“I can't believe he would do something like that!” Camille said.
“I can believe it either. Shit, he’s been a weirdo since I met him.”
“Plus the shit he did after y'all first broke up, like when you caught him in your house,” Shante said shaking her head.
“Yeah, maybe I should've seen the signs, but I was too busy living life and moving on. All I wanted to do was get past the hurt and pain,” I said sadly.
“And you did that!” Camille said with a smile. After talking and keeping me company for a while, everyone headed out. After everyone left and it was just me and Terrence, I felt like this was the perfect time for us to talk about us.
“I could have died, and this just opened my eyes.”
“I wanna find that nigga and put him under. The thought of losing you was like déjà vu and it showed me just how much I love you and don't want to lose you.”
“I love you too, Terrence.”
“I want you and the kids to come stay with me until the police ca
tch ya crazy ass baby daddy,” he said seriously.
“Naw, I'm not gonna let him run me out of my house.”
“Man fuck that house! The house can be replaced, but you can't.”
“I don't want to move too fast, especially when you aren't ready.”
“I never said it was forever, I said until he is in jail.”
“Alright Terrence, but I have to bring my niece.”
“That's fine, I have more than enough room.”
“I don't know about this, we barely know each other.”
“What you mean we barely know each other, Shana? Come on now.”
I guess I knew him well enough to love him, so why not enough to move in for a little while.
“Alright Terrence, I’m sold,” I said with an awkward smile.
Chapter Seventeen (Shante)
As I stood naked looking at myself in my full body mirror, I couldn't help but smile. I was so excited to be carrying this little boy sometimes I caught myself smiling for no reason. This pregnancy doesn’t bring my baby back, but I am thankful to be given a second chance at being a mother. As I stared in the mirror, I was interrupted by my ringing phone. I rushed out the bathroom to grab it and saw it was Camille.
“Hey, boo!” she said happily.
“Hey, Mrs. Richards,” I said.
“That shit sound too good,” she boasted.
“What’s up?” I said laughing.
“Shit, Mama Betty asked me to call and remind you about Sunday dinner today.”
“I didn't forget, I’ll be there.”
“I bet you didn't, she making all the good shit tonight!”
“You so greedy.”
“A’ight, well I’m about to get dressed and get ready to head over there.”
“K boo, love you and see you soon,” I said before hanging up.
After getting dressed, I headed over to Mama Betty’s house and it was packed already.